The last time I saw this much money was two years ago when Zhao Chengyuan came to propose marriage.
That time, Zhao Chengyuan’s parents didn’t come either.
200,000 yuan, Zhao Chengyuan and An Ning got engaged, and Xiao Qiang had the down payment for a new house.
This time, although it didn’t seem to be 200,000 yuan, there was at least 150,000.
As if they never dreamed that two years had passed, and An Ning, now two years older, could still find an engagement partner with conditions similar to Zhao Chengyuan’s, An Father and An Mother’s eyes almost instantly lit up with excitement and fervor.
“Xiao Lu, have some water, have some water…”
Hurrying to the kitchen, after the sound of running water, An Mother brought over a plate of fruit and pushed it in front of Lu Qingze.
Her gaze couldn’t help but slide over the two stacks of bright-colored money, one tall and one short. “You came to discuss marriage, so… how do you want to discuss it?”
“My grandmother has been in the hospital for over half a month…”
Lu Qingze lowered his head, clasping his hands together. “The doctors still haven’t given a treatment plan, and she might have to stay for another month. I’m afraid, I’m afraid…”
Without saying what he was afraid of, Lu Qingze looked up at An Mother. “If you agree, I want to register the marriage with An Ning as soon as possible. Maybe when my grandmother sees our marriage certificate, she’ll be so happy that her illness will get better.”
Look, not only is this young man handsome, but he’s also filial.
Exactly as Sister Fen said on the phone.
An Mother could hardly wait to agree immediately and quickly take the money inside to lock in the drawer.
But after all, the head of the household hadn’t spoken yet.
She just looked up at An Father. “What do you say, Dad?”
Looking at An Ning.
Looking at Lu Qingze.
Then looking at the two stacks of money on the table, An Father asked, “Xiao Lu, where do you work? What do you do? Have you bought a house?”
“I’m an IT engineer, and my company is in the building above An Ning’s company. As for a house… I haven’t bought one yet, but after getting married, once I’ve saved enough for the down payment, I’ll definitely buy one.”
His gaze sweeping over An Father’s calculating eyes, Lu Qingze said solemnly, “Uncle, don’t worry. An Ning and I have our salaries. We’ll buy a house whenever we save enough, and we absolutely won’t rely on our parents or ask you for money. I… I will treat An Ning well!”
“What about the dowry? What are your thoughts? Whatever you want, tell us in advance so we can prepare.”
According to the customs of Sicheng, the man gives a betrothal gift, and the woman provides a dowry.
Usually, the expenses of both families aren’t too far apart.
If the man gives a betrothal gift of 100,000 yuan, the woman should at least provide a dowry of 80,000 yuan. Otherwise, not only would it look bad at the wedding, but relatives from both sides would also gossip.
The last time, when they were engaged to Zhao Chengyuan, all 200,000 yuan went into the An family’s pocket, and not a single cent was spent.
This time…
Before An Father could think further, Lu Qingze spoke up. “Uncle, this is the second thing I wanted to discuss with you.”
“My grandmother is still in the hospital, and I don’t want to hold a wedding ceremony. So, I’ll give you the betrothal gift, and I don’t need a dowry. Consider it compensation for not holding a wedding for An Ning for now. What do you think, is that okay?”
Is it okay?
It’s absolutely okay!
An Mother almost slapped her thigh in agreement.
Meeting An Father’s gaze, she forced herself to lower the corners of her eyes, putting on a somewhat unhappy expression. “What girl gets married without a wedding? You’re really mistreating our An Ning.”
“Aunt, it’s not that we won’t have a wedding…”
Lu Qingze hurriedly explained, “It’s just that we won’t hold it for now. Once my grandmother recovers, we’ll have the ceremony then.”
Whether it’s one month or two, once time passes, the An family won’t be able to come up with money for the wedding anyway.
What if the old lady…
An Father and An Mother exchanged glances, the unease and suspicion in their expressions completely fading, replaced by satisfaction.
“In that case, let’s just have An Ning endure it for now.”
An Father wore an expression of reluctant acceptance.
Then, turning to Lu Qingze, he asked, “So you mean, get the marriage certificate first, and hold the banquet after your grandmother is discharged and recovers?”
“Yes.”
Lu Qingze nodded.
An Father glanced at An Ning, who had been sitting expressionless the whole time, and asked Lu Qingze again, “When do you want to get the certificate?”
“As soon as possible.”
Lu Qingze said solemnly, “My grandmother, she…”
Birth, aging, sickness, and death are part of life.
And the effect of leaving things unsaid would only amplify it.
An Father sighed and patted Lu Qingze’s shoulder reassuringly, “Good people have their own blessings. With your filial piety, your grandmother’s illness will surely get better.”
“His mother…”
An Father looked up at An Mother, “When we have time, let’s buy some supplements to visit the in-laws. Go get the household register for An Ning, and… put the money away.”
“Ah, yes, yes…”
Almost bouncing up from the sofa, An Mother smiled so widely that the wrinkles on her face deepened.
Holding the money as if cradling her own plump grandson, she turned and went into the bedroom.
When she came out, she was holding the household register.
She was about to hand it to An Ning, but halfway through, she changed direction and handed it to Lu Qingze instead. An Mother smiled and said, “Xiao Lu, keep it safe.”
“Thank you, Auntie!”
Taking the household register, he flipped through it a few times before tucking it into his bag.
Lu Qingze looked at An Father and An Mother, “Uncle, Auntie, please don’t worry about my grandmother. The hospital ward is crowded, and the air isn’t good. Besides, it’s still a hospital. If you were to catch a headache or fever later, An Ning and I would feel even more guilty.”
He even saved them the money for buying supplements.
The smiles on An Father and An Mother’s faces grew even wider.
Lu Qingze glanced at the clock, “It’s getting late, I should go now.”
“An Ning…”
Lu Qingze turned back to look at An Ning, “Do you want to stay at home tonight? I…”
Before he could finish, An Ning had already stood up abruptly and stormed out angrily.
“An Ning, An Ning… Uncle, Auntie, I’ll go now!”
Lu Qingze hurriedly chased after her.
In less than half an hour, the two of them hadn’t even finished the water in their cups.
An Father stared at the liquor on the living room floor.
An Mother closed the door.
An Xiaoqiang had already pushed the door open and rushed out, “Mom, how much did he give?”
Hearing it was 150,000, the three members of the An family showed identical joyful smiles.
…
Downstairs, An Ning stormed ahead angrily.
What could have been settled with 50,000 yuan, he had to go out of his way to spend an extra 100,000.
100,000 yuan!
Even if she didn’t eat or drink, and didn’t give money to the An family, it would take her over a year to save that much.
Thinking of the three An family members closing the door and beaming with joy, An Ning couldn’t help but want to scream.
“An Ning…”
Suddenly, her path was blocked. Lu Qingze said solemnly, “I know you want to say it’s not worth it, but to me, you’re worth many times 100,000 yuan.”
“Because it’s you, it’s worth it! Since you don’t like the An family, I won’t let you sit there for a minute longer.”
“It’s just 100,000, isn’t it?”
Suddenly looking up, she met the man’s deep and earnest gaze.
And in his eyes, her own reflection was clearer than it had been in the morning.
The anger in An Ning’s heart was like a bubble blown too large.
A gentle breeze passed by, and with a soft pop, it vanished.